A ceremony at Beggars Bush in Dublin marks the 75th anniversary of the takeover of the barracks from the British army.
On 1 February 1922, 46 men from the Dublin Guards marched from the Phoenix Park. Thousands lined the streets as they passed City Hall where they were watched by members of the provisional government including Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins and Kevin O'Higgins. The troops were met at the Beggars Bush barracks square by Defence Minister Richard Mulcahy and army Chief of Staff Eoin O'Duffy.
Commemorating the events, a cadet guard of honour reenacted the takeover to symbolise the arrival of the first army troops 75 years ago. Current Minister of Defence Sean Barrett oversaw the events. Relatives of the soldiers from 75 years ago were also present.
Maire Fields, daughter of quartermaster Vinny Byrne says,
As far as I can recollect, every barracks in Dublin, he was there when it was taken over.
Beggars Bush was the first barracks to be formally taken over by the army and marked the beginning of British withdrawal after The Treaty.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 February 1997. The reporter is Clare McNamara.
